~*{Chapter Twenty-Five}*~
Twilight brought Starbloom home and placed her in corner on the cushion pile downstairs so she and Spike could keep an eye on her. Starbloom slept most of the day and Twilight considered not waking her up for the funeral, but Starbloom would have been upset if she didn’t wake her up.
Twilight woke her up an hour before it was time to go so she could get ready. Starbloom went up to her room to take a quick shower before going back downstairs to wait for Twilight, she was still feeling drowsy but doing her best not to doze off.
Twilight came down a few moments later dressed in a dark formal dress she, she also had one for Starbloom she picked up when she got her own. She helped Starbloom get dress while Spike finished getting himself ready.
Once the three were ready, they left to meet up with the rest of the ponies attending at Ponyville Cemetery near the edge of town. It didn’t take them to long to reach the cemetery but they were the last to arrive. It was an intimate gathering. Rarity and her sister, Applejack, Apple Bloom along with Granny Smith and Big Mac, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, as well as a few other ponies Twilight didn’t recognize that where friends of Rarity’s parents.
Twilight, Starbloom and Spike all walked over to join the group. Starbloom went to join Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sitting with them. Twilight sat nearby with Rarity and her friends along with Spike.
Mr. Waddles performed the service starting with a moment of silence, before speaking. “Welcome, today is we gather on this somber occasion to honor the memories of, Magnum and Pearl. The beloved parents of Rarity and Sweetie Belle, though now gone from our sight we won’t soon forget the memories they have left behind.” Mr. Waddles spoke slowly and clearly for all to hear before asking for another moment of silences.
After the moment passed, he spoke again. “I would now like to invite the family members and friends to come and speak a few words for the departed, and offer goodbyes.” Mr. Waddles spoke moving to take a seat to allow others to come up.
Rarity got up first and went to speak, she cleared her throat, “My parents… were not the easiest ponies for me to get along with, and they didn’t have much in the way of fashion sense. Nevertheless, they were always supportive of my passions in life no matter how hard it was for them. My father played hoofball and my mother was a baker, but neither earned a lot in their work so it was tough sometimes. But that didn’t stop them from giving me everything I needed or wanted to go after my dreams of becoming a famous Canterlot designer.”
Rarity paused drying her tears giving a faint smile. “If it hadn’t been for them, I don’t think I would be the Element of Generosity. They taught me so much about giving of myself, mother, father, thank you. I’ll miss you, goodbye.” Rarity finished before returning to her spot and sat down closing her eyes.
The rest of the service went by quietly, a few of the parents’ friends came up and spoke about what them. Having grown up with them or working with them. Rarity went over and asked Sweetie Belle if she wanted to say anything but she shook her head no. The service soon ended and everyone slowly left.
While Starbloom was walking with Twilight and Spike, away from the gravesite Starbloom’s ears perked hearing something and she looked around. She thought she heard singing; she turned and saw Sweetie Belle sitting near the gravesite while caskets being lowered and could just make out her signing something.
She was too far away to make out the words but she recognized Sweetie Belle’s voice. She turned and started to walk back over when she saw a faint shimmer and started to walk faster moving to a trot. Twilight and Spike moved to catch up with her.
Starbloom got to where Sweetie Belle was just as she stopped singing, “Sweetie Belle?” She asked softly going to sit next to her. “W… was that you?”
“Yea, I wanted to say goodbye in my own way.” Sweetie Belle answered softly looking over at Starbloom, “I didn’t feel comfortable doing it in front of all those ponies I didn’t know though.”
“I understand Sweetie Belle,” Starbloom whispered looking around, the only ponies around, other than her and Sweetie Belle was Twilight, Spike and Rarity and the cemetery groundskeeper. The rest had headed home. Starbloom glanced back and down giving a faint smile before looking at Sweetie Belle. “Sweetie… take a look at that,” She pointed towards Sweetie Belle’s flank.
Sweetie Belle blinked and looked at where Starbloom was point tilting her head, “I guess singing really was my special talent after all.” Sweetie Belle smiled sadly seeing her cutie mark, a heart with three musical notes around it.
Starbloom nodded at Sweetie Belle moving to her hooves, “You finally got your cutie mark Sweetie; you know your parents must be very proud of you.” Starbloom smiled trying to comfort her. “I know I am Apple Bloom and Scootaloo will be also.”
Sweetie Belle nodded at Starbloom getting up as well, looking at her. “Thank you Starbloom, I know everyone will be happy. I am too… I just wish my parents could have been here to see it,” Sweetie Belle sighed softly before smiling at Starbloom before walking over to Rarity and the two left to go home.
Starbloom watched as Sweetie Belle left before walking over to Twilight and Spike before they walked home as well. She started to feel drowsy on the way and Twilight picked her up and placed her on her back to carry her.
“Something wrong Starbloom?” Twilight asked as they walked. “You’re quieter than you normally are.”
“No mom, I’m okay just a little tired… I think when I get home I’m going to go to bed.” Starbloom yawned softly rubbing her eyes with a hoof. “You think Rarity and Sweetie Belle will be okay?”
“Okay Starbloom and yes I think they will be alright, they have a lot of ponies to help them including us.” Twilight answered going into the library once they reached it. Twilight took Starbloom upstairs and put her to bed after helping her out the dress. “Do you need anything before you go to sleep?”
“No, I’m okay mom thank you.” Starbloom said snuggling under the covers of her bed yawning softly again.
“Alright, have a good rest dear,” Twilight smiled kissing her forehead before leaving the room to let Starbloom get some sleep.